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PRINT: ISSN 2221-1896
ONLINE : ISSN 2223-0343
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A 22 week subchronic feeding study of transgenic BADH
alfalfa in rabbits
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Feng Zhong, Yusheng Li, Jingkai Xin, Zhenyong
Wang, Lin Wang and Jiaqian Chai*
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Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and
Prevention, Shandong, Agricultural University, Taian 271018,
People’s
Republic of China
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Abstract |
With the increasing use of genetically modified organisms (GMO)
worldwide, the controversy of their safety would be unlikely to abate.
Salt is a major stress limiting crop productivity and most alfalfa are
salt-sensitive. In
plants expression
of
the gene encoding for Betaine Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (BADH)
confers tolerance to salinity and drought stresses.
The safety of genetically modified
alfalfa was assessed in rabbits consuming diets containing
transgenic
alfalfa (50%)
and conventional non-genetically modified
alfalfa (50%).
Twenty four male rabbits were fed the two types of alfalfa for 22 weeks.
Feed intake and weight gain were measured. Haematology and blood
biochemistry of the two groups were compared at both
11th
and
the
22nd
week. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and
the parameters of the organ index, gross and microscopic appearance of
tissues were compared between the two groups. No adverse effects were
observed in rabbits consuming GM
alfalfa and non-GM
alfalfa. The results indicated that the feeding value of
GM
alfalfa and conventional non-GM
alfalfa were
equal
in this study. No detrimental expected effects were observed in rabbits
fed genetically modified alfalfa. We concluded that it is as safe and
nutritious as existing
alfalfa.
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Keywords:
BADH-transgenic
Alfalfa, safety
assessment,
substantial
equivalence,
rabbits |
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To cite this article:
Zhong F, Y Li, J Xin, Z Wang, L Wang
and J Chai,
2014.
A 22 week subchronic feeding study of transgenic BADH
alfalfa in rabbits.
Res.
Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 4(4), 172-177. |
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